2 NEWS Council pay dispute Union members protest 2.2pc raise offer From front page As council workers are not permitted to speak to the media, Ms Galvin spoke to The South Eastern Times on their behalf. HIGH WINDS: Millicent State Emergency Service unit manager Andrew Sargeant and training coordinator Gavin Golding replaced a sheet of roofing iron at a Mount Burr home on Tuesday morning. The alarm was raised at 11.23am and it is thought strong wind gusts played a part in dislodging the iron sheet. The Riddoch Avenue property is understood to have been unoccupied at the time. Ms Galvin said the workers wanted to take their concerns directly to council in their quest to reach a just and fair outcome in their negotiations. Picture: FRED SMITH AUCTION 7TH JUNE 2015 “LOST FAIRWAYS ESTATE” 5 TO GO UNDER THE HAMMER! ROBE CENTRAL • • 10 allotments offered for sale • 17m frontage • Compacted and elevated allotments • All services connected to boundary • 607-612m2 (approx.) allotment size AUCTION: Robe Golf Club REGISTRATIONS: 2.30pm AUCTION COMMENCES: 3pm FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Kingston Office: 46 Holland St Kingston SE SA 5275 (08) 8767 4000 Grant Schubert (RLA62833) 0429 077 033 Geoff Saunders (RLA62833) 0408 397 795 BEN TRELOAR 0427 006 332 ben@ottoson.com.au Robe Office: 9 Victoria St Robe SA 5276 (08) 8768 2800 She said her union members were the lowest paid council workers in the region and among the lowest paid in South Australia. “After six months of negotiations, a paltry offer of 2.2pc per year wage increase is all Wattle Range Council is prepared to pay their workers,” Ms Galvin said. “They are on the frontline in delivering services and at times have to answer to ratepayers for the decisions made by council. “The union members resolved to take their campaign directly to the council meeting to remind council that budget decisions impact on people, including workers and their families.” Tuesday’s meeting proceeded without incident for the first 15 minutes until council decided to move into a closed session to discuss a matter arising from the confidential section of the April meeting. As is customary, Mayor Peter Gandolfi asked all members of the public to vacate the meeting chamber, but Ms Galvin objected. She said the union had a legal opinion that entitled council employees to remain present for such private talks and asked that the minutes record this view. However, Mr Gandolfi disagreed with her statement. “Please don’t interrupt the meeting,” Ms Gandolfi said. The meeting chamber was vacated by the union members and all other members of the public for the private talks, which lasted about four minutes. When the meeting was reopened to the public, only one union member returned to the chamber immediately. The meeting followed the set agenda and when the delegations section was reached, Mr Gandolfi gave an explanation, as required by law, for his decision to refuse the union’s request to address council. The mayor said his decision was in accordance with legislation governing the activities of council. “The matter the union sought to raise falls within the responsibility of the chief executive officer of council under section 104 of the Local Government Act 1999 and is appropriately addressed by him,” Mr Gandolfi said. “The CEO is responsible for remuneration and conditions of staff and not the elected body. “Members of the public have the opportunity to make written and verbal submissions to council about the draft budget.” A few minutes later, the other 33 union members returned to the meeting chamber and remained for a further 30 minutes without incident. Around two hours later, Cr Dennis Muhovics raised the enterprise bargaining issue in the general business section. “There was quite a turn-out tonight,” Cr Muhovics said. “What is happening with the negotiations? Are they progressing or are they deadlocked.” In reply, chief executive Peter Harriott said the matters were confidential and council would have to move to close the meeting for an explanation. “Matters are progressing,” Mr Harriott said. Stockists of Emu and Burke & Wills sheep skin boots BAPTISMAL OCCASION: A proud family looked on as baby Lauchlan Kingsley Abbott was recently baptised in St Michael and All Angels Anglican Church in Millicent. Among those who will support young Lauchlan on his life’s journey will be his parents Grace and Jordan Abbott and his four godparents. Sharing the special day with baby Lauchlan Kingsley Abbott were his godparents Rohan and Simone Abbott, parents Jordan and Grace Abbott, Father Peter Carlsson who led the service, and godparents Amy and Jeff Croser. IN BRIEF P H History group guides residents along family tree discovery OPPORTUNITIES for residents to learn how to trace their family trees and uncover their backgrounds, from oral history to making use of library and internet resources, will be provided in Millicent on Sunday. An open day is being staged by the South East Family History Group from 10am to 4pm. Mt GaMbier MILLICENT STOCKFEED & SADDLERY Rendelsham Road, Millicent Ph: 8733 3589 2 - The South Eastern Times, Thursday, May 14, 2015 MilliCeNt 3a Commercial Street West (next to Nab), Ph: 08 8724 9006 WarrNaMbool 105c liebig Street (adjacent to bendigo bank), Ph: 03 5561 6028 58 George Street (next to Cba), Ph: 08 8733 1667 667846 www.thesoutheasterntimes.com.au The group leases a significant portion of the council-owned, 105-year-old former primary school on Mount Gambier Road at Millicent. As part of the open day, historic photographs will be displayed with the hope visitors will be able to identify the subjects. • • Y • T O U R H R E C H A O N C E S O • E WIN A $1000 bank account 669313 671235